Oh, you want
even more Zune HD news today? You got it!
Yahoo! Tech managed to get a hands-on with the device, snapping some pictures of the browser and, more importantly, the on-screen keyboard. It's only a minor glimpse, but it definitely looks sleek. Shot of the browser after the break, and hit up the read link for full gallery. Seriously, Microsoft, add a 3G chipset and dialer app, and you can go ahead and draft those "million seller" press releases already.
Update: CNET has posted some more pictures of the browser and keyboard, including Facebook in landscape mode.
[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]
posted August 10th 2009 7:06PM
i was really hoping for a video...this is good though. Me likes.
Nice.Thanks man.
hey Cnet has a more photos they took when they reviewed the browser, landscape...
http://news.cnet.com/2300-17938_3-10001355-4.html?tag=mncol
I_I
Wow at the landscape keyboard.
Why make it smaller than the screen?
WTF? D:
This looks hawt.
I must be too dumb or naive. But alot of these guys on here seem to hate competition. Is it me or do you NOT want options? are you communists? choose a fav company and dispise its competitors? I mean this is not a sports team...it is just corporations. Apple and Microsoft.
I really fail to see the big woopty doo. I guess you have to root for something?
I only buy Charmin. FUCK DOWNY PAPER TOWELS!
i guess microsoft can't turn this into a phone due to some contractual agreements with their winmo OEMs... :(
When the iPhone came out, I remember all the stupid MS fan boys (I was working at MS at the time) kept going on and on about how the iPhone touch keyboard was crap and didn't work... then they go and copy it... what a bunch of losers.
Maybe I'm boggy in my memory, but I remember the launch of the first version of the iPhone, the keyboard wasn't exactly up to snuff (fairly good at least), and an update later fixed an issue with the virtual keyboard. I'm not sure, but that might have happened. Anyway, those MS fanboys you refer to might have meant that, or they just don't like how the keyboard worked. The Zune HD's virtual keyboard seems to take a much different approach, at least based on this picture.
Have you really worked at Microsoft? I highly doubt it, and if you really did, then you must be bitter because they probably fired someone as incompetent as you.
The design looks nice. I predict that it will run better on the Zune than on any of their phones currently in the market...
I just love the idea of Microsoft being the underdog cool alternative to Apple.
lol that's the funny part about comments and opinions. Anyone who says anything negative about MS gets down-ranked to transparency. I've never seen the supporters of absolutely anything (any products, brands, companies, etc) be so ready to down-rank as MS fanboys.
@Quix: It's just not an OLED screen you know... you forgot to mention a Tegra chip, multi-touch, HD Radio, HDMI, 720p video playback, better audio quality, internet browser, not to mention the ability to use the accomodating Zune software client (that's not clunky as iTunes) and use the Zune Pass, Zune Social, and other perks.
Whether you like that stuff or not, I doubt anyone really cares. For Zune fans (which there are many), and now potential Zune users that think this is way better than the iPod Touch, the Zune HD is definitely awesome enough to buy.
@Quix
"MS adds an OLED screen to something that was done 2 years ago (iPod touch)"
Were you born stupid or dropped when you were a kid?
Ipod Touch: LCD.
Ipod Touch (2nd generation): LCD
Zune HD: OLED.
Tell me again how your statement makes any sense? Now Apple is getting credit for doing something when they haven't? WTF?
@Fox
You get downranked because you're a prick. That's the only reason and it would be equally valid if you replaced 'Apple' with 'Microsoft' in your posts.
HOLY CRAP, AWESOME. Originality. Like it. The simple fact that they turned mobile IE into this makes me shudder in delight
For those wanting a phone version, it's VERY likely that Windows Mobile 7 will have a UI and a media player that's very Zune HD-like.
Microsoft won't be creating the phone of course, but they will make Windows Mobile 7, which should definitely pull in Zune HD elements.
iZune HD and iZune Touch.
and those WinMo 7 devices should hit the market around 2020. Good job.
Seriously, I can't believe you just used the word 'definitely' when describing Windows Mobile. They've had about 3 years to copy the iPhone, and still... nothing but a grid.. and slightly larger icons.. with the same butt ugly Windows underneath.
@mike: I'm pretty confident based on smartphone/WinMo sites and blogs, friends from Microsoft, among other networks. They don't need to 'copy' the iPhone. I'm quite sure that WinMo 7 will probably offer something unique and great in its OS so that it's not just some stupid imitation of what Apple has already done, and it will come out MUCH sooner than 2020. Believe what you want to believe, but even 6.5 is a pretty robust update.
Where did this entire flood of Zune HD news come from? I've been waiting to see something on the browser, and it looks sweet. The elevated bar reminds me of the enV touch hot keys bar.
Also, 300 bucks for 32GB? I'm saving up.
YES!!!
Lets make me into a sammichhh. The bottom bread will be Er, and the top piece ic. Oui!
I really like this thing. I've had an ipod since the 2g's came out . I love my ipod touch . But when apple started putting out these tiny incremental updates to the ipod touch line, i started wondering , how long will this continue. Apple is going to keep adding a feature or two and i'm expected to buy the damn thing because its not cool to be seen walking around with the OLD ipod touch. Then they add in 10 dollar "software upgrades" . These usually just add a feature or two that should have been there in the first place. Stuff like that pisses consumers off, and makes you loose loyalty to a company. I've always bought microsoft software (windows, office, etc) but stuck with apple in the MP3 player catergory. But why? and I honestly want an answer from someone on here on this part- how could you NOT like the zune HD? what about it makes it so terrible? is it just because it isn't made by apple? Featurewise, it seems pretty great, and has a lot nicer looking UI than the ipod/iphone UI. so someone, step up. Why do you hate it?
Because Apple is their "all mighty god", if you know what I mean. It's all about the brand name. Basically, you could buy a crappy shirt for 5 bucks, iron on an expensive brand name and I'll be worth over 70. Same with iPods and Zunes. Basically, people think that the iPod is a superior device to the Zune just because of the brand name, even though the Zune has more features, a built-in case, and costs less.
Note: I'm a fan of both, just that Microsoft SUITS me better.
This is the most sane comment I have read so far.
Don't worry I think WinMo 7 is going to bring it. I think this is the test device and then WinMo 7 will completely run off this kind of interface. I will kiss this iPhone goodbye.
Yup, I agree with FK. MS, makers of Windows, and Mobile just don't match for 6 reasons, well, 6.5 but I won't bother listing them here. And Windows and their version of a Mobile OS (regardless of which revision, even 6 or some random number) won't have 12.4% of the market despite producing ONLY software. Especially by allowing manufacturers to put it on anything with a battery and screen, no matter how shitty the experience will end up.
Hey, let's compare an old processor clocked extremely low and no dedicated graphics to the fastest clocked processor for its platform and best-in-platform graphics chip. Actually, let's compare their OSs and call it based on an even match.
.___.
Oh Opera Mini and your incomplete JS support.
I can't believe that people think that Apple invented touchscreen. That's plain stupidity. And mind control. Ever heard of HTC? They were part of the companies that pioneered touchscreen portable devices, yet people are going like, "Oh the mighty Apple god invented this!" and such on.
Oh I thought of something. Apple and Intel match. Half-eaten apple= half core. Guess what? Intel CORE duo.
Looks pretty sweet to me. I look forward to owning the 32GB model.
I want either a zune hd 64gb or a ipod touch 64gb, which either comes first
but maybe i'll just wait for the zune, because im sure itll be a lot cheaper.
Looks very interesting but would have to handle it in the store to see if I really liked it. I have the Nano right now and enjoy it but feel like I should have bought that Samsung unit in Dubai a year or so ago. I can't seem to get over the fact that I can't do scrolling when I'm wearing gloves or it's in my pocket and I don't want to pull it out to turn up the volume.
This Zune is not a phone so let's not compare it to any phones, imagine what it would be if it was a phone, etc. If we are going to compare it then it needs to be compared to the intended competitor here in the US and that is the Touch. From specs alone it seems to have the win but we can only truly judge when we have a working commercial product in our own hands to determine wich we like better.
Compared to the iPod Touch its a substandard also-ran. The Touch has thousands of applications that make it everything from a Kindle to a magazine to a television to a cook book to a GPS to whatever you want it to be. The Zune is a stylistic ripoff of the Touch offering a fraction of the fuctionality. And you can't download media directly to the Zune? Play games? Does it take video or pictures? Good lord, it's not remotely in the same league as the Touch. Where do you people come from?
Another good music player enters the market to join the great music players that are out there. Great to have choice, the Zune HD looks very good and I'm sure it will sell well.
IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!! IPOD KILLER!!
Sorry about that couldn't help myself
If they could give integrated data only (sorta like Kindle), with the ability to download music straight to the device and surf the internet, then they could have a winner. Have like a unlimited data/music subscription service. I'd bite and I'm a huge apple fan.
^ THIS
If this had a phone in it, and MS didn't try to tell me what I'm allowed to do with it, I'd buy it on day one!!
Come on Microsoft, give this to us as a phone!!
I had been waiting to upgrade my phone hoping that the Zune HD was going to be a ZUNE Phone, but it was not to be. I really think they could compete with the iPhone if they did make one. With everyone pissed off at Apple and their app store and their heating up issue.
Wow, hold the press. A not-iPod Touch with a not-Safari browser featuring the not-Google search engine. Where have I seen that touch screen before? Right, on the iPods and the iPhones which have been out for over two years.
Typical Microsoft, two years late to the party with a substandard ripoff of a superior Apple product. Oh what is that you say? Zune has local HD radio? That's awesome. The iPod Touch and the iPhone models have thousands of Apps including Sirius/XM Satellite radio, PocketTunes and other apps which give access to every local and HD radio signal in the country.
Leaving the Windows champions to name calling and sarcastic drivel over a mediocre "advance" in a failed line of digital music players that don't live up to the promise offered by its competitors two years ago. Again, yawn.
But at least you can still squirt with your Zune.
Meh.
my first gen iphone died in my arms last night. after a year and a half it is now a paperweight. since im in afghanistan at the moment i dont need a new phone, but i do need an mp3 player for the gym. guess i will have to wait a month for this. ill probably still get the 3Gs or the 4th gen iphone that will probably be out by the time i get back, but i wanted a zune for the xbox360 compatibility anyways.
my first gen iphone died in my arms last night. after a year and a
half it is now a paperweight. since im in afghanistan at the moment i
dont need a new phone, but i do need an mp3 player for the gym. guess
i will have to wait a month for this. ill probably still get the 3Gs
or the 4th gen iphone that will probably be out by the time i get
back, but i wanted a zune for the xbox360 compatibility anyways.
MS or anyone with proper licensing could make a dock for the Zune HD which contains a larger battery, camera, phone chip set, and antenna, and you'd be just as big as if not a little larger than an iPhone.